sutton



March 3, 1964 R. -w. SUTTON 3,123,304

ORCHARD TREATING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 2, 1962 L R Y Mlili i fill. Bag

INVENT OR ROBERT m surrau BY fiwwi/ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,123,304 ORCHARD TREATING SYSTEM Robert W. Sutton, Alexandria, Va., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to The Hydrand Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 170,722 3 Claims. (Cl. 239-77) This invention relates to a centrally controlled system for treating orchards and consists more particularly in new and useful improvements in a centrally controlled system designed to selectively spray an orchard with a treating mixture for insects and fungi pests, irrigate an orchard when necessary, minimize frost damage by subjecting the orchard to a fog or mist, and/or apply an effective water spray to the orchard for washing olf radioactive fallout during the course of an attack.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a systern which is completely controlled from a central station, whereby the various operations necessary for the maintenance of a healthy orchard can be effectively controlled by one operator without leaving the station. It is well known that many problems, such as insect pests, drought, frost, etc. face the fruit grower, and that the resultant damage takes place in a very short time, requiring roundthe-clock alertness and work, as well as considerable equipment and manpower. It is therefore an object of the invention to minimize the equipment and manpower required to effectively control these adversities.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system of this nature including a central control station equipped with a Water pump, a treating fluid mixer, an air compressor and a prime mover, and selectively controlled means for conducting liquids and air or mixtures thereof to a series of risers arranged in predetermined locations throughout the orchard.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved riser and spray head to facilitate the proper distribution and conditioning of the mixture being sprayed.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features herein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designate similar parts through the several views:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the centrally controlled system;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation showing one of the riser and spray head assemblies;

FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged View taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the spray head; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the liquid and gas headers in the control station.

In the drawings, referring first to FIG. 1, there is diagrammatically shown a central control station generally indicated by the numeral 16 which may be housed in any suitable building structure, preferably equipped with a radioactive fallout protecting system, such as shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 161,122, filed in the United States Patent Oifice on December 21, 1961. This control station is provided with a conventional prime mover 11 which may be in the form of an electric motor actuated by an available source of electric power or for emergencies, an auxiliary power unit either gasoline or diesel driven. A water pump 12, connected to a source of Water 13, which may comprise a well or a water supply tank, is driven by the prime mover 11 through suitable pulleys 14 and a V belt or the like 15. A mixing tank 16 is located adjacent the pump 12 and provided with an agitator (not shown) coaxially aligned with the motor shaft and actuated by a conventional clutch 17. An air compressor 18, including a small pressure tank, is arranged adjacent the prime mover 11 and operated thereby through a clutch 19 which connects the coaxial shafts of the prime mover and air compressor.

A liquid header 20 and an air header 21 are arranged in parallel relation within the building housing the con trol station 16. The liquid header 2% is connected by line 22 to both the pump 12 and the mixer 16, the latter being provided with an inlet connection 23 leading from the main line 22 and controlled by a valve 24, and with a discharge line 25 leading back to the main line 22 and controlled by a valve 26, for the purposes hereinafter described.

The air header 21 is connected to the air compressor 18 by line 27 which in turn is connected to the mixer tank 16 by line 27a, a valve 27b being employed to control and direct the flow of air to the mixer and header 21.

Ordinarily, the trees of an orchard are planted from 20-22 feet apart and set out in square formation as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1. In carrying out my invention, an orchard is divided into blocks composed of 1625 trees, determined by the type of fruit being grown, and in the center of each bloc I provide a riser generally indicated by the numeral 23 and shown more in detail in FIGS. 3-5 inclusive. Each riser consists of a vertical tubular housing 29 of a length determined by the type of trees in the orchard, and firmly supported in position in the ground by any convenient means. The top of the housing 29 is internally threaded as at 30 to receive the complementary threaded neck 31 of a spray head base 32, best seen in FIG. 4. This base 32 is preferably of annular shape and recessed to provide an internal liquid cavity 33 having a central inlet opening 34 extending through the neck 31, where it is radially enlarged and threaded as at 35 to receive the complementary threads of a standpipe 36, concentrically arranged within the tubular housing 29.

Superimposed on the base 32 is an air and liquid distributing disc 37 which is concentrically secured to the base 32 and provided with a pair of oppositely disposed, vertical water discharge ports 38 which extend entirely through the disc and communicate with the internal cavity 33 in the base. A transverse passageway 39 is connected at the periphery of the disc 37 to an air inlet adaptor 40 (FIG. 3), which in turn is connected to an air delivery tube 41, said air passageway 39 being closed at its opposite end within the disc 37. As seen in FIG. 3, the passageway 39 is arranged at right angles with respect to the liquid discharge ports 38 and the disc is vertically drilled as at 42 to provide spaced air discharge ports leading from the passageway 39. Thus, the top face of the disc 37 presents four alternately arranged discharge ports 38 and 42 for the selective discharge of liquid and/or air, the air ports 4-2 being preferably of smaller diameter than the liquid discharge ports 38.

A diffusing disc 43 (FIG. 5), comprising an annular rim 44 which bounds a series of angularly disposed blades 45 radiating from a central hub 46, is adapted to be mounted concentrically on top of the distributing disc 37 as seen in FIG. 2. A screw 47 extends through a central opening in the hub 46 and is threaded to engage complementary threads in an opening 48 in the top face of the disc 37. This screw 47 is shown in FIG. 4 where the defusing disc 43 is omitted for clarity.

Preferably, the diffusion disc is provided with an upwardly and outwardly directed radial wing 43 which, when liquids are being discharged through the rotating diffusion disc, facilitates the maximum distribution of the liquid or spray, as will later appear. In this connection, the upper face of the distribution disc 37 is preferably provided with a raised boss 55 bounding the threaded aperture 43, which engages the underface of the diffusion disc 43 and serves as a bearing which permits free rotation of the diffusion disc about the screw 47 under the influence of liquid and air being discharged through ports 38 and 42 in contact with the blades 45.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, it will be seen that the liquid header is connected by a series of pipelines St to the various standpipes $6 of the spaced risers 28. Preferably, the pipelines Stl are made of suitable plastic material and are located underground, as best seen in FIG. 2. Adjacent the header 29, each of the pipelines 59 is provided with a control valve 51 so that the discharge of liquid from the header can be selectively distributed to the desired areas of the orchard.

Similarly, the air header 21 is connected by air lines 52 to the respective air pipes 41 on the various risers 2'8 and each of the air lines is provided adjacent the header 21 with a control valve 53.

For purposes of irrigation, each of the risers 28 is provided with an outlet pipe or spigot 36a controlled by a valve 361'). The spigots 3641 are connected to the respective standpipes 36 at points relatively close to the surface of the ground so that when the valves b are opened, water simply flows onto the ground.

As previously explained, the function of this centrally controlled system is fourfold:

(1) It can be used to spray the trees of an orchard with a treating mixture to prevent damage from parasites, etc.

(2) it can be used to irrigate an orchard.

(3) It can be used to spray a mixture of water and air in the form of a mist or fog to prevent frost damage.

(4) It is particularly adaptable for washing radioactive particles off of the trees in an orchard during a nuclear attack or when the area is being contaminated by radioactive fallout from a remote attack.

in the use of the invention for spraying with conventional mixes, the desired treating material is inserted in the mixer 16 and the proper proportion of water is pumped into the mixing tank by pump 12 through line 22 and inlet line 23, the valve 24 being adjusted to accomplish that function. fter the proper mixture is prepared, the valve 24 is adjusted to permit the flow of water from pump 12 into the header 20, and the valve 26 in discharge line 25 of the mixer is opened so that the mixture from tank 16 is syphoned into water line 22 and delivered into the header 28. It will be understood, of course, that the rime mover 11 is set into operation with both the air control clutch i9 and the mixer control clutch 1'7 closed, so that the prime mover motivates both the pump, the mixer and the air cornpressor. A suitable quantity of air is byassed from air line 27 through line 27a to the mixer to maintain a sutlicient pressure on the mixing tank at all times. A suitable vali e 271) controls the amount of air diverted to the mixing tank and the amount passing through line 27 to the air header 21.

With the pump and mixer in operation, the proper mixture is carried from the liquid header 2% through the various liquid lines 56, to selected orchard blocs Where it is sprayed by means of the respective risers 23. Simultaneously, with the valve 271) adjusted to permit the passage of air from the compressor 18 to the air header 21, air is continuously fed to the header in proper quantities for distribution therefrom, through air lines 52.

By proper adjustment of the valves 51 and 53 at the respective headers 2 and 21, each bloc of the orchard can be sprayed individually and the operator can worl;

with the wind. Also, by adjusting the air valves so that a suitable volume of air is mixed with the spray to break up the water molecules, a liner spray and better coverage is effected with a considerable saving of water.

When used purely for irrigating purposes, both the air control clutch 1% and the mixer control clutch 17 are in open position and the valve 24 in line 22 is adjusted to permit the direct low of Water from the pump to the liquid header 29. From the header 20 the water is distributed through lines 5% to the various risers Where the valves L e/b are opened to permit the water to flow sliwoly onto the ground through spigots 36a. Thus, the water is slowly absorbed into the ground until the necessary condition of moisture has been established. It will be understood that during irrigation, only sufficient pressure on the water is maintained to cause a slow distribution thereof throughout the orchard.

It is well known that considerable damage results from frost in many orchards each year and the present invention is desired to combat such damage. When used for this purpose, the water is by-passed from pump 12 through line 22 directly to the liquid header 20, the mixer control clutch 17 being in open position and the air control clutch 19 closed. Water under low pressure is distributed from header 20 through lines 50 to the various risers 2%, and at the same time, the air compressor delivers air under sufficient pressure through line 27 to air header 21 and from there through lines 52 to the risers 28. The force of the air and water against the blades 38 in the defusing disc 43 causes the latter to rotate rapidly so as to create a fine fog or mist, the further distribution of which is facilitated by the radial Wing 49. This mist or fog absorbs the frost and elminates the freezing condition.

Due to the arrangement of valves for controlling the distribution of liquid and air to the various risers, the fog can be applied on the prevailing wind side of the orchard or frost dominated spots.

A highly important advantage of the present invention lies in its usefulness in protecting an orchard against the eifects of radioactive fallout. This menace from either enemy attach or nuclear bomb testing creates a very difficult problem for the orchard operator because if the fallout reaches a certain level, it becomes impossible for the operator to go out into the orchard to wash off the radioactive particles from the trees by the use of a conventional spraying device.

With this centrally controlled unit, this problem is solved by permitting the operator to remain in the control house 10 and by simply controlling the pump and valves leading from the liquid header 20, he can distribute a spray of water through the spray heads of the various risers 28 in the manner just described. In this instance, however, simply water with sufficient air to facilitate distribution is sprayed through the risers 28.

It has been found, as pointed out in my said copending application, that if radioactive particles are Washed olf immediately, and before they have had an opportunity to dry and become aflixed to the surfaces of either buildings or foliage, an efiective protection can be maintained.

It may also be noted that the present invention is also effective in combating the results of germ warfare, bacteriological warfare and biological warfare in the preservation of orchards.

In the actual installation of this system, it may be desirable to place both the liquid and air lines underground and to provide suitable detachable connections to the risers distributed throughout the orchard, so that the risers can be removed from time to time to facilitate cultivation of the orchard area without injury to the risers or the air and liquid lines.

From the foregoing it is believed that the invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art without further description, it being borne in mind that numerous changes may be made in the details disclosed Without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A centrally controlled system for treating orchards, comprising a source of water; a control station housing a prime mover, a Water pump connected to said source, drive means from said prime mover to said pump, a mixing tank and agitator for insecticides or the like, a valve controlled passageway from said pump to said mixing tank, clutch means operatively connecting said pump to the agitator of said mixer, an air compressor, and clutch means connecting said compressor to said prime mover; a liquid manifold, means selectively connecting said manifold to said pump and mixer; an air manifold, means connecting the latter to said compressor; a series of risers disposed in selected, spaced positions throughout an orchard, each of said risers being provided with a spray head having separate discharge apertures for liquid and air; and valve means on said manifolds for selectively controlling the delivery or" either water, a mixture of water and air, or a treating mixture to said spray heads.

2. In a centrally controlled system for treating orchards, a fixed liquid header, means supplying liquids under pressure to said liquid header, an air header fixed adjacent said liquid header, means supplying air under pressure to said air header, separate air and liquid conducting conduits leading from respective headers to a series of fixed, joint delivery points distributed throughout an orchard, ground supported risers located at respective delivery points, each riser having a spray head comprising separate liquid distributing means and air distributing means re- 6 spectively connected to said liquid and air conducting conduits, and valve means adjacent respective fixed headers for selectively and remotely controlling the delivery of liquids and/or air to said spray heads through said conduits.

3. In a centrally controlled system for treating orchards, a fixed liquid header, means supplying liquids under pressure to said liquid header, an air header fixed adajcent said liquid header, means supplying air under pressure to said air header, separate air and liquid conducting conduits leading from respective headers to a series of fixed joint delivery points distributed throughout an orchard. ground supported risers located at respective delivery points, each riser having a spray head comprising separate liquid distributing means and air distributing means respectively connected to said liquid and air conducting conduits, valve means adjacent respective fixed headers for remotely and selectively controlling the delivery of liquids and/or air to said spray heads, and means actuated by the discharged liquids and/ or air, for dilfusing the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 661,898 Tucker Nov. 13, 1900 1,416,574 Oney May 16, 1922 1,968,126 Center July 31, 1934 1,991,851 I-Iammell Feb. 19, 1935 2,361,981 Tirrell Nov. 7, 1944 2,973,149 Kachergis Feb. 28, 1961 

3. IN A CENTRALLY CONTROLLED SYSTEM FOR TREATING ORCHARDS, A FIXED LIQUID HEADER, MEANS SUPPLYING LIQUIDS UNDER PRESSURE TO SAID LIQUID HEADER, AN AIR HEADER FIXED ADAJCENT SAID LIQUID HEADER, MEANS SUPPLING AIR UNDER PRESSURE TO SAID AIR HEADER, SEPARATE AIR AND LIQUID CONDUCTING CONDUITS LEADING FROM RESPECTIVE HEADERS TO A SERIES OF FIXED JOINT DELIVERY POINTS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT AN ORCHARD, GROUND SUPPORTED RISERS LOCATED AT RESPECTIVE DELIVERY POINTS, EACH RISER HAVING A SPRAY HEAD COMPRISING SEPARATE LIQUID DISTRIBUTING MEANS AND AIR DISTRIBUTING MEANS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID LIQUID AND AIR CONDUCTING CONDUITS, VALVE MEANS ADJACENT RESPECTIVE FIXED HEADERS FOR REMOTELY AND SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING THE DELIVERY OF LIQUIDS AND/OR AIR TO SAID SPRAY HEADS, AND MEANS ACTUATED BY THE DISCHARGED LIQUIDS AND/OR AIR, FOR DIFFUSING THE SAME. 